I race at the crits. I'm in E grade, so no professional, but here's my input.

First rule - Do it! Don't make excuses. I wish I had started 5 years ago.

You need a CA licence to race. You need to do this via a club. You can't just sign up to a licence. The two clubs in Canberra are Vikings or Canberra Cycling Club. Which one you join is much of a muchness. Have a look at their sites and see which one has more training sessions that align with your timetable etc. You can also get a single or 3-ride licence if you just want to try it out. You can upgrade to a full licence and have the 3-ride fee taken off the price, so you don't lose out.

Other than that, you need a serviceable road bike (drop bar) and AUS standard helmet.

Turn up on the day with your licence and get put on the database and away you go.

As for training. Bunch rides will help you learn to be around people but it's too regulated to give that crit feel, as it can get pretty hairy bumping elbows, surrounded by 20 other people, but other than a base level of fitness, the only way to learn is to race. You can't build up your race-craft without racing.

Do: Hold your line (don't cut corners. Move around the corner in the same position you enter it)Put your all into it (You'll kick yourself every time you don't, knowing that you could've put that extra bit in)

Don't: Cut people offBe in the way if you are lapped (get off the race line then pull off at the start/finish)

If you are old enough you can also race with the Vets. Males will have to be 35 by the end of 2011, females 30 in order to join. The ACTVCC also goes down to G grade so there is something for everyone.

AVCC licences and membership is cheaper than the Cycling Australia affiliated clubs. The ACTVCC race at Stromlo on Tuesday nights the Queanbeyan velodrome (road bikes as well) on Thursday nights and road racing scattered around the Territory and nearby NSW on Sunday mornings.

However you plan on getting involved, just do it. Crits are a great way to start racing.

Don't be deceived though. Yes, it's fast, but it's a fairly flat track designed for racing and you spend 95% of the race drafting others. You may get dropped the first couple of races, but after you get a feel for the riding and the track you'll be fine.

I've been thinking about it for a while, so I'm going to rock up on Wednesday night and give it a go. I know a few people who have raced and they all say it's great fun. I have never entered any sort of cycling race, and I don't have much bunch riding experience because I train either solo or with my brother, so I'm a little apprehensive and don't really know what to expect. I'm pretty sure I'll like it, I quite like competition and I like to ride fast

HAKS wrote:Maybe a few of us could meet up and give e grade a crack together so we don't all feel like noobs

my thought exactly. can't make it this wednesday though. Anyone wants to give it a crack on 10 Nov?

Sounds good

Count me in too! (Hopefully I'll at least get out to have a look tomorrow, not sure I want to race if it's wet given my lack of bunch riding/racing experience )

twizzle wrote:Don't bother trying unless you are running a decent (grippy) tyre. Under-steering into other riders through the tight corners is an unfriendly act.

I have a set of Continental GP4000s on at the moment, are they ok? Or should I get some full on slicks or something? Do you have a racing specific tyre recommendation?

Can anyone tell me what time the racing starts? The website says 5pm, but is that when registration opens or when people are actually on the track? The website also says something about rotating times for all grades (excluding juniors) this year, but it doesn't say anything about what time the races actually begin. I suppose I'll fire off an email to CCC this evening because they are probably the best people to answer these sorts of questions

It turns out I wasn't looking hard enough, race start times are here, tomorrow night Apprendiz starts at 7:13 which suits me, whereas next week it starts at 5:15 which is not quite as good but may still be doable.

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